Chicago Energy Benchmarking Homepage
Chicago Energy Rating System
On November 21st, 2017, the Chicago City Council approved updates to the Chicago Energy Benchmarking Ordinance in order to improve the visibility and transparency of the reported information, while also making the information easier to understand. A summary of the changes and some of the benefits are provided in this summary, and this FAQ document provides answers to frequently asked questions. The full ordinance can be downloaded here.
In summary, the updates will create a new Chicago Energy Rating system starting in 2019 for buildings required to benchmark. For more information, visit the Chicago Energy Rating System website.
Benchmarking Compliance
The compliance deadline for 2019 benchmarking reports is June 1, 2019. As a reminder, energy benchmarking reports are due annually from all properties, and data verification is required once every three years. To determine if you are required to verify data this year, check the compliance notification letter sent by the City, which you should receive by mid to late March. You can also find the year of next verification on the Covered Buildings List.
The City is now accepting 2019 benchmarking reports. If you are ready to report, click here to send your data via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
Taking Action on Energy Efficiency
Have you benchmarked one or more buildings, and are looking to take the next steps on energy efficiency? Click here to learn about suggestions and resources for starting to improve the energy performance of your property(ies).
Quick Links:
- View a sample 2019 building notification letter
- Download the Benchmarking Guide
- View the free training videos
- Report energy benchmarking data to the City (ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager)
- Review the Covered Buildings List
- View the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The menu below provides a full list of the resources available on this website. Click one of the buttons below for an Overview, or find detailed Instructions, Training, Request Forms, or Results & Analysis:
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Questions? We Can Help!
Call the Chicago Energy Benchmarking Help Center at 855.858.6878 (M-F, 9am-5pm) or email Info@ChicagoEnergyBenchmarking.org.
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Additional Information
2018 Chicago Building Energy Benchmarking Report
2018 Chicago Building Energy Benchmarking At-A-Glance (Infographic)
2018 Building Energy Data - Chicago Data Portal
2017 Building Energy Performance Map - City Energy Project
Chicago Energy Benchmarking Support
“This ordinance will help to capture the information to enable better informed real estate decisions and unlock the market for energy efficiency. We believe that this ordinance addresses key business and policy priorities in our sector, including saving money, creating local jobs, protecting our health, and promot[ing] Chicago’s position as a leading sustainable city to attract new business and succeed in the global market place.”
– Commercial and Residential Real Estate Management Executive
“Energy efficiency is not a passing fad; it has become a core value and operating principle for many of Chicago’s largest corporate tenants, condo owners, and residential tenants.”
– Commercial and Residential Real Estate Manager
“Energy [benchmarking and] disclosure [across our management portfolio of more than 1,000 buildings] has helped [condominium] board members feel comfortable making decisions to improve efficiency because they have more accurate data on which to base their decision. They are also able to better quantify the investment and return they will generate. We have found that the more informed owners are about their building’s environmental impact, the more empowered they are to improve it.”
– Residential Portfolio Director of Operations
